Sir James shrugged his shoulders.

"My dear young lady, I can do nothing more, I fear. Our clues
have all ended in thin air. You can take my word for it that
there is nothing more to be done. If anything should arise, I
shall be glad to advise you in any way I can."

His words gave Tuppence an extraordinarily desolate feeling.

"I suppose you're right," she said. "Anyway, thank you very much
for trying to help us. Good-bye."

Julius was bending over the car. A momentary pity came into Sir
James's keen eyes, as he gazed into the girl's downcast face.

"Don't be too disconsolate, Miss Tuppence," he said in a low
voice. "Remember, holiday-time isn't always all playtime. One
sometimes manages to put in some work as well."

Something in his tone made Tuppence glance up sharply. He shook
his head with a smile.

"No, I shan't say any more. Great mistake to say too much.
Remember that. Never tell all you know--not even to the person
you know best. Understand? Good-bye."

He strode away. Tuppence stared after him. She was beginning to
understand Sir James's methods. Once before he had thrown her a
hint in the same careless fashion. Was this a hint? What exactly
lay behind those last brief words? Did he mean that, after all,